Cover or lid for boxes and cases



Dec. 19, 1939. H. E. WEIKEL COVER OR LID FOR BOXES AND CASES Filed April 12, 1939 Fig. 2.

v Weilfsj INVENTOR. Pemzu. ALKZ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec 19, 1939 UNlTED STATES PATENT orr es 6 Claims.

The invention relates to covers or lids or open top boxes or cases and particularly to such covers or lids for cases of bottled goods, such as beer, and the object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive cover of light weight for such cases which will efficiently protect the bottled goods and remain in position under ordinary or usual handling until intentionally removed.

Another object is to provide a cover which, due to its own construction, will automatically lock in the case when installed.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a plan view of the blank with which the lid is formed and Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a box or case having the invention applied thereto.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the blank is cut or die-pressed from a sheet of suitable material such as paper board and comprises the main section I,- two end-forming sections 2 defined by the score lines 3, t and the locking elements or flaps 5. Each end section preferably tapers laterally toward 25 the flaps 5 and each flap tapers laterally from its outer edge toward the section 2 so that the material is narrowest at each score line 4.

The main section is proportioned to fit within the top of the box or case so as to cover the con- 30 tents of the same with the end sections when folded on the scorings 3, covering the hand holes 6 in the end walls of the box or case.

The case I is provided with the usual partitions It to form spacing pockets for the bottles.

In installing the cover on a case 6 of bottled goods I, the flaps 5 are folded under the end sections 2 on the score lines 4 and the end sections are then folded downwardly on the score lines 3. The cover thus folded is deposited in the case with its end walls in contact with the end walls of the case, and with the main section substantially in contact with the caps or tops of the bottles. The tapering end walls facilitate the passage of said walls into the case. The flaps 5 are not folded so as to break down the score lines l, but are folded enough so that the elasticity of the material, as the cover is installed will cause the flaps to contact and slide down the bottles adjacent to the ends of the case and their outer edges will eventually engage under the upper ends of the bottles or the caps 8 thereon and lock thereto.

Thereafter the cover cannot be removed except by tearing it without releasing the flaps from their engagement with the bottles. To permit such release the openings 0 are formed in the main section at suitable points through which the finger may be inserted and contacted with the flap to move it toward the adjacent end section, thereby releasing said flap from the bottles. Each opening, of course, will be disposed so that the finger will pass between two adjacent bottles in the row adjacent to the end of the case.

It will be noted that the end sections cover the hand holes 9 in the end walls of the case. Said sections readily give when the hand is inserted in the opening and spring back into position when the hand is withdrawn.

The article is very cheaply made and its installation requires little time and effort and when installed it is locked in the case and will not be dislodged in the usual handling of the case.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a case and bottles therein, and a cover for said case comprising a main section fitting in the case above the tops of the bottles, downwardly folded sections at opposite sides of the main section and resiliently engaging the adjacent walls of the case and upwardly folded locking flaps on the wall engaging sections resiliently engaging the bottles adjacent to said sections.

2. In combination, a case and bottles therein and a cover for said case comprising a main section fitting in the case above the tops of the bottles, downwardly folded sections at opposite sides of the main section and resiliently engaging the adjacent walls of the case and upwardly folded locking flaps on the wall engaging sections resiliently engaging the bottles adjacent to said sections, the main section having an opening adjacent to each end to aiford access to the locking flaps for releasing the same from the bottles.

3. A cover for cases of bottled goods comprising a strip of resilient paperboard having a pair of transverse fold lines defining a central panel, said panel being adapted to extend over a group of upstanding bottles arranged in a case, the ends 45 of the strip outside of the transverse-fold lines having additional fold lines therein dividing said ends into end forming sections and locking flaps, the end forming sections being adapted to extend downwardly into a case between the margins of the group of bottles therein and the walls of the case, the locking flaps being adapted to be folded so as to extend upwardly to lie between the margins of the group of bottles and the end forming sections, said locking flaps being also adapted to resiliently engage the neck portions of at least certain of the marginally positioned bottles within a case, whereby upon applying lifting force to the central panel to remove it from covering relation with the bottles, the edges of the locking flaps will tend to engage the usual laterally extending bead or cap portions on the necks of the bottles.

4. A cover for cases of bottled goods comprising a strip of resilient paperboard having a central panel and end portions hinged to opposite edges thereof, said central panel being adapted to extend over a group of upstanding bottles arranged in a case, each end portion having a fold line therein dividing it into an end forming section and a locking flap, the end forming section being adapted to extend downwardly into a case, the locking flap being adapted to be folded so as to extend upwardly at an acute angle into engagement with neck portions of at least certain of the bottles within a case, whereby the locking flaps will resist accidental displacement of the cover.

5. A cover for cases of bottled goods comprising a strip of resilient paperboard having a main top panel and an end portion hinged thereto, said main top panel being adapted to extend over a group of upstanding bottles arranged in a case, the end portion having a fold line therein dividing said portion into an end forming section and locking flap, the end forming section being adapted to extend downwardly into a case, the locking flap being adapted to be folded upwardly into engagement with the neck portion of at least certain of the bottles within a case, whereby the locking flap will resist accidental displacement of the cover at the edge upon which the locking element is carried.

6. A cover for cases of bottled goods comprising a strip of resilient paperboard having a top panel and an end portion hinged thereto, said top panel being adapted to extend over a group of upstanding bottles arranged in a case, the end portion having a fold line therein dividing said portion into an end forming section and looking flaps, the end forming section being adapted to extend downwardly into a case, the locking flap being adapted to be folded upwardly into engagement with the neck portion of at least certain of the bottles Within a case, whereby the locking fiap will resist accidental displacement of the cover at the edge upon which the locking flap is carried, the main section having an opening adjacent to the end carrying the locking flap to afford access to the locking flap for releasing same from bottles.

HARLEY E. WEIKEL. 

